Spectators either love him or hate him, but there’s no denying his talent on the ice. Messier ranks second in games played and seventh in goals – and with impressive stats like that, it’s no wonder his bank balance is bulging.
But ask a Vancouver Canucks fan about the athlete, and you won’t get the same story. Sure, he’s talented. But after team squabbles, poor performance, being transferred, and winning a US$6 million settlement from the team, Messier’s reputation is split.
In October last year, Messier and a team of businessman invested in Game 7, a performance lifestyle platform.6. Chris Pronger
Estimated net worth: US$65 million
Pronger’s power on skates and ability to switch roles to defenceman have made him one of the greatest all-rounders on the ice. In 2022, he went viral for explaining that, although athletes have big money deals, when the costs associated with being an athlete like agents’ fees and taxes are added up, quite often there is not much left for the athlete.
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5. Pavel Bure
Estimated net worth: US$70 million
“Russian Rocket” Pavel Bure is highly regarded for his speed, skill and puck possession. The Vancouver Canucks legend is known for being private about his personal life and even after retirement is one of the most inaccessible players in the game.
Per The Athletic, Bure said he loved to entertain the crowd: “What I loved most was scoring goals. And not just goals, but beautiful goals that fans would remember.”
4. Sidney Crosby
Estimated net worth: US$75 million
The Canadian player is known to turn down endorsement deals, only working with a select few partners including Gatorade, CCM and Tim Hortons. Nicknamed “Sid the Kid”, his leadership and on-ice achievements have made him one of the sport’s most popular players.
The athlete and his partner of 15 years, Kathy Leutner, keep a low profile and off social media – meaning that fans go gaga on the rare occasion the good-looking pair are photographed.
3. Alexander Ovechkin
Estimated net worth: US$80 million
After being drafted by the Washington Capitals in 2004, Ovechkin stayed with the team for his entire career. His dominance and high scoring rate have led to him being considered one of the sport’s greatest players. Ovechkin has made big money off the field too, with endorsement deals from Nike, Bauer and PepsiCo.
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2. Mario Lemieux
Estimated net worth: US$200 million
This Canadian hockey icon raked up impressive stats during his 17-season career. Known as “Le Magnifique” and “Super Mario”, Lemieux’s most lucrative deals included a 1992 seven-year guaranteed deal worth US$42 million with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Lemieux was so invested in his team that, in 1999, he agreed to convert US$20 million of his owed salary to ownership equity to prevent the Penguins from going into bankruptcy.
Also prompting deep respect from fans and colleagues was the fact that Lemieux was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and, in 1993, returned to active play after 22 radiation treatments.
1. Wayne Gretzky
Estimated net worth: US$250 million
Known as “the Great One”, Canada’s Wayne Gretzky has been called the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) by sportswriters, players and the NHL itself. After playing professionally for over two decades, Gretzky retired in 1999 with over 60 NHL records under his belt. His incredible ability has made him the richest player on our list, with investments in property, a vineyard and sports team ownership.
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